Solid state fermentation of waste pomace from olive processing

Typical samples of the solid waste (50% moisture) from olive oil processing were subjected, after an alkaline pretreatment, to delignification by Phan erochaete chryosporium, Phlebia radiata,Pleurotus ostreatus or Dacrymyces s tellatus. The fermented material was then saccharified by Trichoderma spp t o provide a substrate for the yeasts, Candida utilis or Saccharomyces cerev isiae. Success was judged by the level of crude protein generated, and a co mbination fermentation involving Phan chryosporium, T reesei and S cerevisi ae increased the level of crude protein from 5.9% in the raw pomace to 40.3 % in the fermented material. It is suggested that this solid-state fermenta tion process could be used to manufacture an animal feed for the poultry in dustry in Jordan. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.